A 92-year-old woman has blamed Lewisham Council for her sleepless nights after it replaced the light on the lamppost outside her flat with a bright white bulb that shines through her bedroom.

Barbara Smoker, Farmfield Road, says the street light opposite her home in Downham used to be a soft-orange colour and was never a problem until last week when it was changed to a vibrant white keeping her awake at night.

Mrs Smoker, a retired writer who has had her work published, said the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes.

She said: “They seem to be just replacing all the lights but there was nothing wrong with them so this must be costing the council a lot of money.

“I have never been a good sleeper but I’m annoyed as this is completely unnecessary.”

Mrs Smoker also said other people in her street have complained about the issue.

A Lewisham Council spokesperson said: "All 42,000 street lights are being replaced in Lewisham and Croydon as part of a five-year street lighting renewal programme. To meet with current British Standards orange street lights are being upgraded to white lighting which delivers a more natural light and will help people feel safer at night on the streets."

"the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes."

Surely she moved the bed once (and probably not easy for an old lady) but the way it's written suggests she has to keep moving it

And how about getting some thick curtains to cut out the light?

Sympathise, but NS exaggerating
"the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes."
Surely she moved the bed once (and probably not easy for an old lady) but the way it's written suggests she has to keep moving it
And how about getting some thick curtains to cut out the light?reasonable75

&quot;the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes."

Surely she moved the bed once (and probably not easy for an old lady) but the way it's written suggests she has to keep moving it

And how about getting some thick curtains to cut out the light?

Thick curtains what a concept, who'd of thought of that ??

Perhaps the 'cancel' should pay for them.

[quote][p][bold]reasonable75[/bold] wrote:
Sympathise, but NS exaggerating
"the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes."
Surely she moved the bed once (and probably not easy for an old lady) but the way it's written suggests she has to keep moving it
And how about getting some thick curtains to cut out the light?[/p][/quote]Thick curtains what a concept, who'd of thought of that ??
Perhaps the 'cancel' should pay for them.Gypo.Joe

&quot;the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes."

Surely she moved the bed once (and probably not easy for an old lady) but the way it's written suggests she has to keep moving it

And how about getting some thick curtains to cut out the light?

Thick curtains what a concept, who'd of thought of that ??

Perhaps the 'cancel' should pay for them.

Yes you are right Gypo, EVERY tenant, unfortunate enough to have one of these monstrosities now stuck outside their window, blinding their bedroom with unnecessary light so that they cannot sleep, SHOULD grant all of its residents with money to purchase black out blinds or quality lined curtains. It's their fault, so they should cough up for it.

[quote][p][bold]Gypo.Joe[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]reasonable75[/bold] wrote:
Sympathise, but NS exaggerating
"the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes."
Surely she moved the bed once (and probably not easy for an old lady) but the way it's written suggests she has to keep moving it
And how about getting some thick curtains to cut out the light?[/p][/quote]Thick curtains what a concept, who'd of thought of that ??
Perhaps the 'cancel' should pay for them.[/p][/quote]Yes you are right Gypo, EVERY tenant, unfortunate enough to have one of these monstrosities now stuck outside their window, blinding their bedroom with unnecessary light so that they cannot sleep, SHOULD grant all of its residents with money to purchase black out blinds or quality lined curtains. It's their fault, so they should cough up for it.sarfflondonbird

&quot;the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes."

Surely she moved the bed once (and probably not easy for an old lady) but the way it's written suggests she has to keep moving it

And how about getting some thick curtains to cut out the light?

Thick curtains what a concept, who'd of thought of that ??

Perhaps the 'cancel' should pay for them.

Yes you are right Gypo, EVERY tenant, unfortunate enough to have one of these monstrosities now stuck outside their window, blinding their bedroom with unnecessary light so that they cannot sleep, SHOULD grant all of its residents with money to purchase black out blinds or quality lined curtains. It's their fault, so they should cough up for it.

I'll rephrase that................
............the council of lewisham should pay out grants for all affected residents to afford decent quality curtains and blinds to block out the light that causes people to lose sleep as such.

[quote][p][bold]sarfflondonbird[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Gypo.Joe[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]reasonable75[/bold] wrote:
Sympathise, but NS exaggerating
"the only way she can sleep is by moving her bed around the room to avoid the light shining directly in her eyes."
Surely she moved the bed once (and probably not easy for an old lady) but the way it's written suggests she has to keep moving it
And how about getting some thick curtains to cut out the light?[/p][/quote]Thick curtains what a concept, who'd of thought of that ??
Perhaps the 'cancel' should pay for them.[/p][/quote]Yes you are right Gypo, EVERY tenant, unfortunate enough to have one of these monstrosities now stuck outside their window, blinding their bedroom with unnecessary light so that they cannot sleep, SHOULD grant all of its residents with money to purchase black out blinds or quality lined curtains. It's their fault, so they should cough up for it.[/p][/quote]I'll rephrase that................
............the council of lewisham should pay out grants for all affected residents to afford decent quality curtains and blinds to block out the light that causes people to lose sleep as such.sarfflondonbird